The SCVSEFA designs the Synopsys Championship to stimulate interest in science and technology for 6th – 12th grade students from public, private and parochial schools. The philosophy behind the Fair is simple-- students learn science by doing science.

We provide a forum for students to present their scientific work, interact with scientists and receive feedback on their efforts. Students are awarded scholarships, cash prizes and other non-monetary recognition for outstanding work.Winners from our Synopsys Championship are awarded trips to the California State Science Fair and the affiliated Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Volunteer opportunities are described below.

Parking and getting to the Synopsys Championship Please follow the parking instructions for 'Drop-Off at South Hall'. Parking for volunteers is next to the South Hall building (187 Balbach St, San Jose, CA 95110). Enter from Balbach St (off S. Market or S. Almaden).

General Volunteer Opportunities for the Fair Itself:

The following is a listing of jobs available at the fair- DAY 1 Registration Day, March 11, 2014

Most jobs are done in teams

Hall setup and signs Assistant (8-11:30 AM, includes lunch)

Qualities:High energy, works well in teams

·Put tablecloths on approximately 240 tables

·Set out 900 place cards

·Rearrange chairs to match needs

·Hang signs for directions

Step 1 Registration Assistant (11:30-6PM, includes lunch)

Qualities:Pleasant, good knowledge of alphabet

·Pass out Name Badges, sitting job

Step 2 Registration Assistant (11:30-6PM, included lunch)

Qualities (9):Quick with numbers

·Find correct application among hundreds, using project number code

Qualities (Guide):Quick learner, unflappable

·Direct students to appropriate line, based on SRC code

Step 3 Registration Assistant (11:30-6PM, includes lunch)

Qualities:Easy!

·Assign Poster Board location on the exhibit floor

Step 4 Registration Assistant (11:30-6PM, includes lunch)

Qualities:Good knowledge of alphabet

·Distribute Certificates of Participation and SCVSEFA Pins and Judging Day Instructions.Sitting job.

Exhibit Hall Guides (11:30-6PM, includes lunch)

Qualities:High energy, good sense of direction

·Help students/teachers/parents find place in huge exhibit hall

·Direct them to exit via Step 4. Standing and moving most of the afternoon.

Parking Lot / Security Guides ( 8AM-6PM in 2 shifts, AM & PM )

Qualities:Authoritative, patient, good sense of direction

·Help students/teachers/parents find drop-off area and parking areas

·Prevent traffic stoppage in the South Hall area of the Convention Center.

The following is a listing of jobs available at the fair- DAY 2 Judging Day, March 12, 2014

Most jobs are done in teams

Parking Pass Assistant ( 9AM-5PM )

Qualities:Ability to stand for long periods outside and stay warm, good hearing, unflappable

·Direct parking areas for those eligible, and check their names off list.

Category Judge Check-in Assistant ( 9AM-1:30PM )

Qualities:Unflappable, easy with alpha and numbers, careful

·Mark list and pull file as judges check in

Category Judge Check-out Assistant (3:00 - 5:00 PM).

Qualities: Unflappable, attention to detail

Check off list and sort papers judges turn in

Judge Table Guides ( 11AM-1PM )

Qualities:Good memory, sense of direction

·Help judges find their table in large meeting room

Door Monitors ( 1:45-6PM )

Qualilties:Stern mien, disciplined

·Prevent contestants from leaving before end of contest

·Prevent unauthorized others from entering.

Mostly sitting.

Shutdown Assistant (5:00 - 7:30 PM)

Qualities: lifting, moving, walking

Helping carry materials back to vans for transport

Parking Lot/Security Guides ( 9AM-6:30PM in 3hr shifts )

Qualities:Authoritative, patient, good sense of direction

·Help students/teachers/parents find drop-off area and parking areas

·Prevent traffic stoppage in the South Hall area of the Convention Center.

General Volunteer Opportunities

Please consider assisting in one of the following areas:

1. Join the Scientific Review Committee.Be part of an established group of professional scientists and teachers that evaluate project applications before competition. The time commitment will be two Saturday mornings for four hours each at the Santa Clara County Office of Education . If interested please contact the SRC

2. Help set up the Exhibit Hall for the Fair.Many hands are needed to physically set up the room in which the competition takes place.This is done Tuesday March 11th at the San Jose Convention Center, South Hall.No experience is required, and there are a large variety of jobs to be done.Come and join the fun for any time period you are able by contacting our volunteer coordinator.

4. Be a Judge at the Fair (see the judging tab on this website).Judging will take place at the San Jose Convention Center Wednesday March 12 from 1-5 pm. Judges meet with student participants and review and rank their projects. Category judging is done in teams organized by discipline area to determine place awards (1st, 2nd, Honorable Hention, etc). If interested pleasecontact the category-judging committee. In addition, scientists working for various agencies in the bay area also judge the projects for special awards given by their sponsoring company/agency.

5. Visit with the Student Participants.Plan to come to the South Hall of the San Jose Convention Center, on Wednesday, March 12 from 5pm-6 pm to visit with the students and discuss their projects. If interested please mark this date on your calendar and bring a colleague with you.

Other General Activities you can do to help:

Support your local school's science fair efforts and attend its exhibition.

Become a SYNOPSYS Championship Fair student advisor or mentor, or research supervisor.